COLCHESTER UNITED 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Oldham Athletic’s goalless draw at Colchester United reinforced the need to add to their strikeforce.
The long-term injury to summer-signing Jake Cassidy has left Latics lacking in quality up front as demonstrated by scoring only two goals in their first three games in Sky Bet League One.
Cassidy limped out of Saturday’s win against Fleetwood after chipping a bone in his ankle, a big blow to the team.
But, on a positive note, Latics have conceded only one goal in their three league games, have kept back-to-back clean sheets and remain unbeaten with five points from the three fixtures.
The early success has been built on solid foundations with centre backs James Wilson and Jonathan Burn again standing firm at the back.
And Latics also extended their unbeaten run at the Weston Homes Community Stadium to four games – two wins and two draws.
Colchester, meanwhile, were left searching for their first league victory as they, too, lacked punch up front with former Latics’ player Chris Porter injured.
It was a game of few chances, one which looked destined to finish goalless from the opening stages, though Latics might have nicked all three points when Lee Croft wasted a glorious chance as he was denied by goalkeeper Elliott Parrish.
Latics had Rhys Turner replacing the injured Cassidy, the one change from the side that beat Fleetwood Town 1-0 on Saturday.
It took 37 minutes for either side to create a meaningful chance, and then Latics’ captain Liam Kelly forced a fine save from Parrish who turned his 25-yard drive over the crossbar.
From the resulting corner, Turner just failed to get on the end of a cross from James Wilson and the striker had another chance just before the break when Parrish missed his kick, but the U’s defence saved the day just as Turner was about to shoot.
Colchester started the second half brightly as a drive from Joe Edwards cleared the crossbar by inches.
Danny Philliskirk then had a shot blocked before the U’s had two great chances to take the lead when Darren Ambrose shot wide and Sammie Szmodics struck the upright as Latics momentarily lived dangerously at the back.
However, Latics must still be wondering why and how they failed to take the lead on the hour.
A loose ball ricocheted to Jonathan Forte whose shot was blocked before flying to Croft but Parrish appeared from nowhere to make a brilliant save.
David Dunn replaced Philliskirk not long after the hour and later George Green was introduced as Latics looked for new ways to break down the home defence.
And Latics’ last change was enforced through injury when Kelly was hurt in the defensive wall as he was struck by the full force of an Ambrose free kick.
Latics might have nicked a victory with five minutes left when Forte got behind the U’s defence by Croft failed to convert his cross from six yards.